Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington was born in Bronx, New York on January 31, 1977. Kerry’s mother is a professor and her father a real estate broker.

Kerry was raised in the Jamie Towers Cooperative apartments in the Soundview section of Bronx. Growing up as an only child Kerry tuned into the Fine Arts early. Her first experience was on stage as a dancer with the New York Negro Ballet and bit parts in local theatrical productions.

Kerry attended Public School up until Junior High where she than enrolled in the Prestigious Spence School in Manhattan. Upon graduating from the Spence School Kerry attended George Washington University in Washington, DC where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1998.

Kerry took her first role in 2000, starring as Lanisha, a half-black, half Cuban girl living in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn in the independent film Our Song (2000). Kerry’s mainstream success began while filming the successful film Save the Last Dance (2001) opposite Julia Stiles.

That same year Kerry was also featured in the film Lift (2001) about an intelligent young female booster from a dysfunctional family. Kerry’s burgeoning acting career continued to thrive with a series of features in films; Bad Company (2002) opposite Chris Rock, The United States of Leland (2003) with Don Cheadle and Kevin Spacey, The Human Stain (2003), Sin (2003) and Against the Ropes (2004) with Megan Ryan and Omar Epps.

In 2004 Kerry landed a starring role alongside Anthony Mackie in the Spike Lee directed film She Hate Me (2004). Kerry also shined that year opposite Jamie Fox for her role in the Oscar nominated Biopic film Ray (2004) where she played Ray Charles wife.

In 2005 Kerry was featured in the Box Office Hit Mr. Smith (2005) with Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt and she was also featured in another successful Box office film, Fantastic Four (2005) where she played the girlfriend of “Thing”.

The following year Kerry co-starred with Shawn and Marlon Wayans in the comedy Little Man (2006) and than again as Dictator Idi Amin’s wife in The Last King of Scotland (2006) with Forrest Whitaker.

Kerry was featured in the film Dead Girl (2006) a film based on the story of a young woman's death and the people connected to her murder, and I Think I Love My Wife (2007) a Chris Rock produced film in which Kerry played sultry seductress “Nikki” whose aim in life is to win the affection of “Richard” the title character played by Chris Rock.

Kerry’s next set of films showcased her growth as an actress. Her work in the movie Miracle at St. Anna (2008) displayed her acting versatility as did her film Lake View Terrace (2008) in which she starred opposite Samuel L. Jackson.

In 2009 Kerry was honing her acting skills and building her craft by starring in a multitude of dramatic roles including Life is Hot in Cracktown (2009), The People Speak (2009) and Mother and Child (2009).

Kerry continued to remain a bonafide actress with her roles in Night Catches Us (2010), The Details (2010) and the critically acclaimed film For Colored Girls (2010). Kerry was nominated for NAACP Image Awards and won in 2005 for Outstanding Actress in a motion picture for her role in Ray.

Kerry has also been nominated for an Independent Spirit Award as well a Screen Actors Guild Award. Kerry’s influence in Hollywood has reached to the areas of Fashion as she is a well known fixture on Hollywood’s best dressed list.

Kerry is currently a spokes model for L’Oreal Paris and brand ambassador for Movado watches. She is currently working on upcoming films and is scheduled to star in the Shonda Rhimes TV series In Crisis in 2012.